Act 2 — [Scene I.][4369]

Colum. I see no face in all this council that Hath one pale fear upon ’t, though we arriv’d not So timely to secure the town, which gives Our enemy such triumph. 1 Col. ’T was betray’d. Alph. The wealth of that one city5 Will make the enemy glorious.[4370] 1 Col. They dare Not plunder it. Alph. They give fair quarter yet: They only seal up men’s estates, and keep Possession for the city’s use: they take up No wares without security; and he,10 Whose single credit will not pass, puts in Two lean comrades, upon whose bonds ’t is not Religion to deny ’em. Colum. To repair this With honour, gentlemen? Her. My opinion is To expect awhile. Colum. Your reason? Her. Till their own15 Surfeit betray ’em; for their soldier[s,] Bred up with coarse and common bread, will show Such appetites on the rich cates they find. They ’ll spare our swords a victory, when their own Riot and luxury destroys ’em. Col. That20 Will show our patience too like a fear. With favour of his excellence, I think The spoil of cities takes not off the courage, But doubles it on soldiers; besides, While we have tameness to expect, the noise25 Of their success and plenty will increase Their army. Her. ’T is considerable; we do not Exceed in foot or horse, our muster not ’Bove sixteen thousand both; and the infantry Raw, and not disciplin’d to act. Alph. Their hearts,30 But with a brave thought of their country’s honour, Will teach ’em how to fight, had they not seen A sword. But we decline[4371] our own too much; The men are forward in their arms, and take The use[4372] with avarice of fame. They rise, and talk privately. Colum. —Colonel,35 I do suspect you are a coward. Her. Sir! Colum. Or else a traitor; take your choice. No more. I call’d you to a council, sir, of war; Yet keep your place. Her. I have worn other names. Colum. Deserve ’em. Such40 Another were enough to unsoul an army. Ignobly talk of patience, till they drink And reel to death! We came to fight, and force ’em To mend their pace: thou hast no honour in thee, Not enough noble blood to make a blush45 For thy tame eloquence. Her. My lord, I know My duty to a general: yet there are Some that have known me here. Sir, I desire To quit my regiment. Colum. You shall have license.— Ink and paper!50

1 Col. The general ’s displeas’d. 2 Col. How is ’t, Hernando? Her. The general has found out employment for me; He is writing letters back. Alph. and Capt. To his mistress? Her. Pray do not trouble me; yet, prithee, speak, And flatter not thy friend. Dost think I dare55 Not draw my sword, and use it, when a cause, With honour, calls to action? Alph. and Col. With the most valiant man alive. Her. You ’ll do me some displeasure in your loves: Pray to your places.60 Colum. So; bear those letters to the king; They speak my resolution, before Another sun decline, to charge the enemy. Her. [Aside.] A pretty court way Of dismissing an officer.—I obey; success65 Attend your counsels! Exit. Colum. If here be any dare not look on danger, And meet it like a man, with scorn of death, I beg his absence; and a coward’s fear Consume him to a ghost! 1 Col. None such [are] here.70 Colum. Or, if in all your regiments you find One man that does not ask to bleed with honour, Give him a double pay to leave the army; There ’s service to be done will call the spirits And aid of men. 1 Col. You give us all new flame,75 Colum. I am confirm’d, and you must lose no time; The soldier that was took last night, to me Discover’d their whole strength, and that we have A party in the town. The river, that Opens the city to the west, [’s] unguarded;—80 We must this night use art and resolution We cannot fall ingloriously. 1 Capt. That voice Is every man’s.

Colum. What now? Sold. Letters.85 Colum. Whence? Sold. From the duchess. Colum. They are welcome.— [Takes the letter.] Meet at my tent again this evening; Yet stay, some wine.—The duchess’ health!90 [Drinks.] See it go round. [Opens the letter.] Ant. It wo’ not please his excellence. 1 Col. The duchess’ health! [Drinks.] 2 Capt. To me! more wine. Ant. The clouds are gathering, and his eyes shoot fire;95 Observe what thunder follows. 2 Capt. The general has but ill news. I suspect The duchess sick, or else the king. 1 Capt. May be The Cardinal. 2 Capt. His soul has long been look’d for. Colum. She dares not be so insolent. It is100 The duchess’ hand. How am I shrunk in fame To be thus play’d withal! She writes, and counsels, Under my hand, to send her back a free Resign of all my interest to her person, Promise, or love; that there ’s no other way, With safety of my honour, to revisit her.106 The woman is possest with some bold devil, And wants an exorcism; or, I am grown A cheap, dull, phlegmatic fool, a post that ’s carv’d I’ th’ common street, and holding out my forehead110 To every scurril wit to pin disgrace And libels on ’t.—Did you bring this to me, sir? My thanks shall warm your heart. Draws a pistol. Ant. Hold, hold! my lord! I know not what provokes this tempest, but Her grace ne’er show’d more freedom from a storm115 When I receiv’d this paper. If you have A will to do an execution, Your looks, without that engine, sir, may serve.— I did not like the employment. Colum. Ha! had she No symptom, in her eye or face, of anger,120 When she gave this in charge? Ant. Serene, as I Have seen the morning rise upon the spring; No trouble in her breath, but such a wind As came to kiss, and fan the smiling flowers. Colum. No poetry. Ant. By all the truth in prose,125 By honesty, and your own honour, sir, I never saw her look more calm and gentle. Colum. I am too passionate; you must forgive me. I have found it out; the duchess loves me dearly; She exprest a trouble in her when I took130 My leave, and chid me with a sullen eye: ’T is a device to hasten my return; Love has a thousand arts. I ’ll answer it Beyond her expectation, and put Her soul to a noble test.—Your patience, gentlemen;135 The king’s health will deserve a sacrifice Of wine. [Retires to the table and writes.] Ant. [Aside.] I am glad to see this change, and thank my wit For my redemption. 1 Col. Sir, the soldier’s curse On him loves not our master! 2 Col. And they curse140 Loud enough to be heard. 2 Capt. Their curse has the nature of gunpowder. Ant. They do not pray with half the noise. 1 Col. Our general is not well mixt; He has too great a portion of fire.145 2 Col. His mistress cool him, (her complexion Carries some phlegm,) when they two meet in bed! 2 Capt. A third may follow. 1 Capt. ’T is much pity149 The young duke liv’d not to take the virgin off. 1 Col. ’T was the king’s act, to match two rabbit-suckers.[4373] 2 Col. A common trick of state; The little great man marries, travels then Till both grow up, and dies when he should do The feat; these things are still unlucky155 On the male side. Colum. This to the duchess’ fair hand. [Gives Antonio a letter.] Ant. She will think Time hath no wing, till I return. [Exit.] Colum. Gentlemen, Now each man to his quarter, and encourage The soldier. I shall take a pride to know160 Your diligence, when I visit all your Several commands. All. We shall expect. 2 Col. And move By your directions. Colum. Y’ are all noble. Exeunt.